TX4ALL – ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION FOR ALL TO PUBLIC TOURISM ASSETS & SERVICES

Project partners

• Institute of National Confederation of Disabled People of Greece (IN-ESAmeA) – Lead Beneficiary
• Region of Central Macedonia – Greece
• Centre for development of the South-East planning region – North Macedonia

The project is implemented through a partnership between organizations from Greece and North Macedonia, combining expertise in accessibility, tourism development, regional planning and social inclusion.

Project description

• Acronym: TX4ALL
• MIS: 6007137
• Programme: Interreg VI-A IPA Greece–North Macedonia 2021–2027
• Duration: 24 months
• Priority: Support & Upgrade of Health & Social Services

TX4ALL – Accessibility and inclusion for all to public tourism assets & services is a cross-border initiative aimed at transforming the tourism sector into a more inclusive and accessible experience for all. Responding to persistent challenges of social exclusion and limited access, particularly for elderly individuals and people with disabilities, the project proposes a comprehensive model of inclusive tourism development.

The project focuses on two key regions: Thessaloniki in Central Macedonia, Greece, and the broader Southeastern Planning Region in North Macedonia, including Strumica and the Doiran Lake area. These locations will serve as focal points for physical interventions, technological upgrades and training programmes designed to ensure full accessibility to public tourism assets and services.

TX4ALL targets a wide range of beneficiaries. These include elderly tourists, people with disabilities or chronic conditions, and their families and companions. Additionally, tourism professionals, local businesses, public authorities, and unemployed individuals in the region are also expected to benefit, particularly through new training opportunities, capacity building, and job creation.

A major component of the project is the installation of innovative accessibility infrastructure. In Thessaloniki, over 200 smart pedestrian crossings will be equipped with audio-enabled systems to assist visually impaired individuals. Public buildings will be fitted with navigation systems for users with limited mobility or vision, while new, universally accessible signage will be installed in tourism sites across both countries. In the Doiran Lake area, a fully inclusive beach will be developed, complete with adapted infrastructure and mobility support.

To support independent travel planning and better information dissemination, TX4ALL will conduct extensive accessibility audits and create a multilingual Visitors Guide. This will help tourists identify and navigate inclusive routes and points of interest before and during their visit.

Beyond infrastructure, the project places strong emphasis on awareness and capacity building. It will provide specialized training for tourism professionals to improve their understanding of accessibility needs and launch a pilot consulting program to support businesses entering the accessible tourism sector. These efforts are designed to foster entrepreneurship and promote job opportunities, particularly for people with disabilities.

Finally, TX4ALL will implement a joint branding and international promotion strategy, positioning the cross-border region as a leading destination for inclusive tourism. Through coordinated campaigns and digital tools, the project aims to reach emerging global markets, attract new visitor segments and extend tourism activity into lesser-known areas and off-peak seasons.

In doing so, TX4ALL not only enhances the accessibility of the tourism offer but also contributes to sustainable economic development, regional cooperation, and social inclusion across the Greece–North Macedonia border region.

The Centre’s contribution to TX4ALL

 As Project Partner 3, the Centre for development of the South-East planning region is responsible for implementing a significant part of the project activities in North Macedonia, with a particular focus on improving accessibility to tourism assets and public services across the South-East Planning Region.

The Centre is also responsible for coordinating project activities in North Macedonia and ensuring cooperation with municipalities, tourism stakeholders, disability organizations and local communities throughout the implementation process.

The Centre will lead the implementation of several investments aimed at removing physical and information barriers for persons with disabilities, elderly visitors and people with reduced mobility. Key interventions include the establishment of an inclusive beach at Dojran Lake, the installation of a new accessible elevator and stair platform at the Centre’s premises, the procurement of mobile accessibility ramps for all ten municipalities in the region, and the deployment of universally accessible signage and audio-based wayfinding solutions.

In addition, the Centre will support the introduction of innovative mobility solutions through the procurement of accessible transport equipment and electric sightseeing vehicles, helping visitors with disabilities to access tourism destinations more independently and comfortably.

Beyond infrastructure investments, the Centre actively contributes to accessibility assessments, stakeholder consultations, awareness-raising activities and capacity-building initiatives for tourism professionals and service providers. Through close cooperation with municipalities, disability organizations, tourism stakeholders and project partners from Greece, the Centre aims to promote accessible tourism as a driver of social inclusion, regional development and cross-border cooperation.

By implementing these activities, the Centre contributes to creating a more inclusive tourism environment in the South-East Planning Region and to positioning the area as an accessible destination for both residents and visitors.

Expected Results

Through TX4ALL, public tourism assets and services in the cross-border area will become more accessible to persons with disabilities, elderly visitors and people with reduced mobility. The project will introduce new accessibility infrastructure, innovative wayfinding and information systems, inclusive tourism services and improved mobility solutions. It will also strengthen the capacity of tourism professionals and public authorities to address accessibility needs, while promoting the South-East Planning Region and Central Macedonia as attractive and inclusive tourism destinations for all visitors.

About the Programme

The Interreg VI-A IPA Programme “Greece – North Macedonia 2021 – 2027” is a cross-border cooperation Programme co-financed by the European Union under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III). This joint Programme empowers public authorities, private non-profit organizations and other institutions to work together on common challenges and problems, seeking for smarter solutions in the areas of Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Pella, Serres, Florina, Kozani and Vardar, Pelagonia, Southeast and Southwest. The strategy statement of the Programme is “to enhance territorial cohesion by improving living standards and employment opportunities holding respect to the environment and by using the natural resources for tourism”. The total budget of the Programme for the period 2021-2027 is 33.3 million €.

Project duration: October 2025 – October 2027

Total project budget: €1,385,108.68

Budget of the Centre for development of the South-East planning region: €315,991.00

The TX4ALL project is implemented within the framework of the Interreg VI-A IPA Programme “Greece – North Macedonia 2021–2027” and is co-funded by the European Union at 80% and by national funds at 20%.

The contents of this are the sole responsibility of the Centre for development of the South-East planning region and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union, the participating countries, the Managing Authority or the Joint Secretariat.